Homer Fink – Brooklyn Bugle

R Subway Train’s Return Is Still Weeks Away

November 15, 2012

Subway service on the R train from Brooklyn Heights may not be returning before the end of the year. According to MTA in the New York Daily News, “The line’s Montague Street Tunnel, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, saw more flooding than any of the eight subway tubes inundated by superstorm Sandy.”

In addition, “Water from an unprecedented sea surge cascaded down a tunnel ventilation shaft at the southern tip of Manhattan, and it rushed down the stairs of the Whitehall St./South Ferry station. The volume of water in the tunnel was so great it extended up a steep incline into Brooklyn Heights, about four blocks from the riverbank. It stopped about 500 feet from Court Street station.”

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota says, “That’s a long distance and the water was floor to ceiling. “The tunnel and the equipment was severely damaged.” NYC Transit President Thomas Prendergast said it will probably take at least two or three weeks to repair and replace signals, signal relays and other equipment. (Photo: The Brooklyn Paper)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51893

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

THURSDAY: Free Post-Hurricane Legal Advice From Brooklyn Law School

November 15, 2012

From 9 a.m. to noon TODAY, Thursday, November 15, the Brooklyn Law School, in association with Borough Prez Marty Markowitz and the Brooklyn Bar Association, will host a free “Brooklyn Sandy Relief Legal Clinic” at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, between Court and Adams.

The Clinic will be staffed by disaster relief-trained law students and volunteer attorneys who will offer storm-related legal and application assistance in regards to insurance claims, FEMA applications and appeals, public assistance and housing.

Subsequent Clinics will take place on Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. For info, contact the Legal Clinic at 718-802-3890 or email sandyrelief@brooklynbp.nyc.gov.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51878

From the Web

MTA Chief & Brooklyn Heights Resident Joseph Lhota for Mayor?

November 14, 2012

WCBS 880 speculates today that in light of the herculean efforts on the part of the MTA to restore service post-Sandy, MTA chief/Brooklyn Heights resident Joseph Lhota maybe be a good candidate for NYC Mayor in the next election:

WCBS880: “There’s no question that Joe Lhota would be an interesting candidate, could be a threat. Why? He’s done a terrific job of getting the subway system, the bus system and the regional commuter rails running again after Hurricane Sandy and it’s something you could really run with,” Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf told WCBS 880′s Rich Lamb.
Sheinkopf cautioned that the path may be a bit more difficult for Lhota, should he choose to jump into the race, because of the demographic make-up of New York City.
“Generally, it’s very difficult because of the registration edge for Democrats to be defeated in mayoral elections. But we haven’t had a Democrat elected to the top office in 20 years, so anything can happen,” Sheinkopf said.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51872

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Open Thread Wednesday: November 14, 2012

November 14, 2012

Here on the 318th day of 2012, there are but 47 days remaining until the end of the year. That means BHB will offer only six more Open Thread Wednesdays before the turning of the calendar. You better hurry, huh? What’s on your mind? Comment away! (Photo: CT/red velvet cake at Lassen & Hennigs)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51860

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

Brooklyn Firms Lead Realtor Effort For Sandy Relief

November 13, 2012

TerraCRG and aptsandlofts.com are continuing much-needed efforts for Hurricane Sandy Relief, in a partnership with “United Way Rallies NYC Real Estate Industry Support for Storm Victims.” The commercial real estate brokerage with its partners is launching a fund-raising effort to facilitate and encourage donations from the real estate community to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy through a secure webpage created to gather the donations.

All proceeds will be used by local United Way chapters to address near and long-term hurricane recovery needs in communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas, with “aggressive monetary goals to help aid those in need. The goal of this effort is to unify the New York City real estate community to make a difference in the lives of the many people who experienced devastation and have been severely affected by the storm.” Both TerraCRG and aptsandlofts.com have each contributed $10,000 to the effort.

Ofer Cohen, founder & president of TerraCRG, and David Maundrell, founder & president of aptsandlofts.com are directing the efforts. Cohen notes, “We would like to see the entire real estate industry in New York come together. While our lives in North Brooklyn and Manhattan have been slowly returning to normal, many residents and businesses in the hard hit area of Southwest Brooklyn and Staten Island, Queens and Long Island are dramatically impacted and will remain so for months.”

The webpage, www.NYCREUnited.com, is linked directly to the United Way’s website infrastructure.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51848

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Downtown Brooklyn, Events, Music

Brooklyn Friends School Hosts Annual Winter Festival 12/01

November 13, 2012

The Brooklyn Friends School Winter Festival is coming up after Thanksgiving, Saturday, 12/1, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Get a jump on holiday shopping and have a blast with your children at the Downtown Brooklyn school’s 33rd annual holiday fundraiser benefiting Horizons at Brooklyn Friends School.”

Festivities include a craft fair with 45 local artisans, holiday plant and wreath sale, book fair, children’s carnival with bouncy rides and games, a children’s craft activity center, and entertainment by musicians and a magician. Free admission for the craft fair. All-inclusive tickets for the carnival and other entertainment are $35 and may be purchased at the door. Horizons at Brooklyn Friends School is an academic summer enrichment program serving low-income children living in Downtown Brooklyn.

The event’s address: 375 Pearl Street in 11201, one block from Borough Hall and the Marriott Plaza. More info here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51834

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO

TONIGHT: PS 8 Hosts Fourth Annual ‘Night To Celebrate Reading’ In DUMBO

November 13, 2012

TONIGHT: Brooklyn Heights PS 8 is hosting its fourth annual “Night To Celebrate Reading,” with nearly a dozen authors participating, along with “wine, cheese, hors d’ouevres, author readings and hilarity.” The place: Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO at 16 Main Street, 7-10 p.m. Adults only, please.

This year’s authors include Katie Moline, Jeff Newelt, Monte Burke, Katie Roiphe, Dan Janison, Kevin Holohan, Tad Friend, Matthew Aaron Goodman, Seth Kaufman and more. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, benefiting PS 8. More info here. See the flyer below.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51816

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Events, Food

Danish Seamen’s Church: Danish Christmas Fair November 17-18

November 12, 2012

The Danish Seamen’s Church in Brooklyn Heights at 102 Willow Street is hosting its annual Traditional Danish Christmas Fair Saturday, November 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m..

Julie Slok shares with BHB: “You may have heard about delicious Danish open-faced sandwiches with their lavish combinations of fish and seafood, cheese, cold cuts and vegetables, garnished with fresh herbs, but have you ever tasted them? And how about sweet Danish puffy pastries served warm with powdered sugar and jam? Visit our Christmas Shop for Danish Christmas decorations and hand-made knitted shawls and baby clothes or buy Christmas presents to your family and friends from our collection of Danish design items donated by Danish companies based in New York City.”

The gift shop and courtyard bar serving hotdogs, Danish beer, warm pastries and mulled wine will be served at the Danish Seamen’s Church; while open-faced sandwiches and beer will be hosted by Plymouth Church at 75 Hicks Street. Note that the restaurant at Plymouth Church is open Saturday only, while the Danish Church is open both days.

All proceeds from the Christmas Fair go toward supporting the church and its activities. For more info, see here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51796

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Reminder: Halstead Packs Van To Rockaways Monday 11/12 At 9 A.M.

November 12, 2012

Halstead Realty at 150 Montague Street reports Sunday that its premises is bursting with goods for the Brooklyn Heights’ office’s drive this weekend to pack a second moving van with requested items for Hurricane Sandy relief in The Rockaways. The van heads out Monday at 9 a.m., so if you’d like to contribute early in the morn, see the list of requested items here.

Broker Meryl Blackman tells BHB, “Our entire office if full of supplies; no business as usual as the Sandy Supply Drive has mushroomed and taken over our lives and our office space for the past 2 weeks! We are proud of what we have accomplished, and many in The Heights have helped and participated.”

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51785

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

How Sweet It Is: Recycling Resumes This Week

November 12, 2012

At last… All of those clear and blue bags packed with recyclables (that few seem to have stowed back indoors) are ready for pick-up as our local Sanitation Department works overtime Monday, even though it’s a federal holiday (Veterans Day). If your building’s recylables are typically collected Monday, they should hit curbside before midnight Sunday, alongside regular trash. Wednesday recycling will return to normal on that day. If you live on or north of Joralemon Street, please hold recyclables until late Tuesday night.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51773